Gardaí have renewed their appeals for victims of historical sexual abuse at schools to come forward.
A total of 160 additional victims have come forward to Gardaí since they launched their appeal on Wednesday.
That is in addition to the 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in 308 schools, that was uncovered by a damning scoping inquiry into historical abuse that was published earlier this week.
Three schools in Donegal were identified as part of the scoping inquiry; the De La Salle Secondary School, Ballyshannon, which closed its doors in 1973, the St. Louis Girls Convent NS on Station Road, Bundoran, and Saint Cholmcille, Letterkenny.
Gardaí say that the additional reports have been made mostly directly to the Sexual Crime Management Unit at Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) by email and telephone but also by the CSAR (Child Sexual Abuse Reporting) phone line and in person at individual Garda Stations.
“An Garda Síochána is now in the process, and has been over the last 72 hours, of making direct contact back with each individual person who has contacted us,” they said in a statement.
“This is a very sensitive process. An Garda Síochána understands the profound impact that sexual abuse has on the lives of each individual who are now coming forward. In most cases this is the first time when these victims of a crime have spoken to An Garda Síochána. Each person will be given the time and space to discuss their personal experience and An Garda Síochána will continue to support each person through the process at the pace and to the extent that they wish to engage with us.”
“An Garda Síochána’s overall response is being coordinated by the Sexual Crime Management Unit at the GNPSB. Individual investigations will be carried out by dedicated trained Gardaí attached to Divisional Protective Service Units in each Garda Division. Any resources required will be made available to support each individual who has or may come forward to report a crime to An Garda Síochána.”
Speaking today, Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan, Garda National Protective Services Bureau stated: “An Garda Síochána is here to support any person who wishes to report any crime of Sexual Abuse not just in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders but also in any other institution or organisation. These crimes are insidious and have a lifelong effect on those who are subject of this abuse. An Garda Síochána will support each individual who makes a report to us; An Garda Síochána will listen and will assist in progressing their complaint at the pace and to the extent that the person wants. Any person contacting An Garda Síochána can be assured that their interaction will be treated in complete confidence.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Noonan has also appealed “To any person who has not spoken about being the victim of sexual abuse, I would say the evidence in the Scoping Inquiry and the, so far, over 160 contacts made to An Garda Síochána show that you are not alone, you did nothing wrong and that if you want to speak your voice will be heard. I once again appeal to any person who believes they are the victim of a criminal act relating to Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders, to please come forward and report this to An Garda Síochána.”
Gardaí say that there are three ways to report any allegations of historical abuse to them:
- By emailing GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie
- By phoning the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222. This is a confidential and free service available 24/7
- Calling to your local Garda Station
